Following the Water: Bike the Bessemer 2025
Back to blog feedNearly 140 participants gathered for the 5th Annual Bike the Bessemer event, despite windy conditions. The extended 15-mile bike tour across Pueblo's St. Charles Mesa offered riders an immersive experience into the agricultural heart of southern Colorado, connecting people directly with the farms, water systems, and community that sustain our local food system.
Following the Water
Led by Dillon O'Hare, Palmer Land Conservancy's Senior Conservation Manager, riders pedaled along the historic Bessemer Ditch, stopping at key locations for a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between land and water in this unique agricultural region.
"The water cycle we study [in school] doesn't contemplate the impact that all of us people using water have," explained water expert Paul Fanning, highlighting how irrigation systems like the Bessemer Ditch represent a human intervention in natural processes that has transformed the high desert landscape of Pueblo County into productive farmland.
The tour included a special stop at the historic Williams family farm and seed store, where Sandi Cardinal shared her family's multi-generational connection to the land. These personal stories brought to life the human dimension of conservation work, highlighting the families who have stewarded these lands for decades and continue to produce crops for our communities.
Truly Farm to Table
The educational ride culminated in a farm-to-table lunch featuring over 130 pounds of local produce harvested from farms along the route. Prepared by Jocelyn from Soul Smile Health and Wellness, the meal showcased the bounty of Pueblo County producers.
Participants also had the opportunity to purchase directly from local producers at the inaugural maker’s market, including honey from Boley’s Bee Haven, whose hives were visible during the ride. This direct connection between cycling past a farm and then enjoying its harvest forged a powerful connection to the land. Angela’s Artisan Breads, Jordan Cattle Company, Pueblo Food Project, and Snowmelt Sauces also sold products that were made from local ingredients.
Celebrating Land and Water
As Astrid Monar, Philanthropy and Donor Relations Manager, reminded attendees, "Bike the Bessemer is a celebration of local food, agriculture, and the water that sustains our lives."
As riders departed with full stomachs and new perspectives, the message was clear—protecting land and water requires the same tenacity and community spirit demonstrated by everyone who braved the wind to participate in this year's Bike the Bessemer.
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